No PIO player in I-League, all-India tournaments: AIFF

The AIFF decided to scrap
the idea of Persons of Indian Origin playing in the I-League,
all-India tournaments and local leagues this season, allowing
the clubs to register four foreigners, including one of Asian
origin.

New Delhi: The AIFF on Tuesday decided to scrap
the idea of Persons of Indian Origin playing in the I-League,
all-India tournaments and local leagues this season, allowing
the clubs to register four foreigners, including one of Asian
origin.

"All clubs will be allowed to register four (3 foreigners
+ 1 Asian) for all tournaments including I-League (Division 1
and 2), Federation Cup, All-India tournaments and local
leagues for this season only," a statement of the All India
Football Federation said.

"However, only three of the foreign players can be in the
actual playing eleven," the statement added.

Last season, the AIFF allowed five foreigners, including
one PIO and one of Asian origin, to be registered by each
club.

Meanwhile, the national senior team now training in
Portugal will take on Uniao Desportiva da Serra in a practice
match tomorrow at Pope John Paul II stadium Fatima.

The Bob Houghton-coached side will play against Clube
Desportivo de Mafra on Thursday.

The Indian team has played six practice matches so far in
their two-month training stint in Portugal which began on July
1, winning four, drawing and losing one game each.